Investing in EV/PHEV validation

Automakers and suppliers are relying on new testing equipment and facilities to evaluate the performance of today's class of electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.

With American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds of $2.4 billion being invested into advanced battery and electric drive projects, the automotive industry has undergone a significant transformation over the past year and a half. And while hybrid and electric vehicle development has grown exponentially since those funds were allocated, public concern over the safety of electric vehicles (EVs), lithium-ion batteries, and EV charging stations has also increased. To help alleviate buyers' concerns-as well as their own-automakers and suppliers have invested heavily into new test equipment and facilities to learn as much about these new advanced energy systems as possible.

With the added weight of battery systems in EVs and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs), many companies are being forced to re-examine their test requirements, which are written for smaller, lighter components, as well as their test equipment, which is intended to handle much lower masses.